The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-07-07
A JAPANESE FAMILY. -

"A OAPAN ESE FAMILY. -
In this home an ex-daimio and
family dwelled, with whom / exchang-
ed frequent hospitalities during my
sojourn in Japan. As l was one of
the family in which the daimio's
youngest brother and eldest son had
found home while pursuing their
education in America | was cordially
received by the ex-prince in turn
The family then consisted of his wife,
two little girls, two grown daughters,
and three SonS-One a baby-and the
grandmother of these children-a
charming old lady-three nurses, and
large retinue of servants.
The father was a noble specimen OF
devotion to. his country, yet, withal,.
an apostle of progress. He was one
of the many who had consented to the
destruction of the old government,
and had voluntarily yielded his reve-
nues and title without murmur for
the public good. The lady mother and
eldest daughter were the peers of the
ladies of any land in their love of
beauty, ornament, elegant dress, and
nearness, and in their skill in houses
hold management, as well as in those
social amenities and tactics of polite
circles that etiquette prescribes.
This mother was as strong in tender
ness, patience and long-suffering fon
and with her children as her European
or American sisters; and equally faith
full and assiduous in their training and
education, according to her knowl-
edge. She taught her daughters, as
her mother had taught her, that the
three fundamental duties of woman
are obedience to her parents when a
child, obedience to her husband when
married, and obedience to her eldest
son if she becomes a widow.
She also instructed them from the
Japanese Ladies library, which is
compendium of the moral and physical
duties of woman. 1t includes the SUBJ
jects of household and social manage
ment, rules for the strictest etiquette,
a guide to letter-writing, proverbs,
poems from a hundred authors, MEM
oirs of noble women, and ordering for
the whole conduct of life. They were
likewise taught to read the standard
histories of Japan in Chinese char
acters. and both boys and girls were
thoroughly drilled in the traditionary
heroic and NEUROLOGICAL lore of their
own land.
The sons were trained to manly
sports and exploits, and their ambition
fired by historic tales of heroes. They
were urged to overcome obstacles by
the symbol over the massive door,
where swung the huge paper carp sus-
pended from a bamboo pole, ever re-
minding the youth of Japan how the
carp leaps the waterfall. These lads
were also taught natural sciences and
military tactics from English and
Dutch authors. Often in their half
holidays have | seen them constructing
miniature earthworks by the aid of
book, diagram, and trowel
Then came the tutor with lessons in
fencing and wrestling and the use of
cross-spears and swords, in the hand
ling of which they became marvelously
expert. The father instructed the sons
in the Chinese classics himself, and
stimulated their young souls by tales
of classic lore.
One of the interesting customsI thus
learned of in. the life of this house was
that of the many festivals-the Feast
of the Dolls for the daughters of the
house, when year after year the great
nursery was decked with blooming
bows and the many toys in which
Japan abounds, while pretty mimic
life of motherhood and housekeeping
prevailed for one whole day; of the
Feast of the Banners, when the boys
were marched out in triumph to the
streets, with emblazOned banners, to
enact 4 mimic war; of the New Years
day, when prince and retainers, master
and servants, pledged anew their de-
Votion to each other, and received
gifts of good things; of the religious
festivals, when the masters household,
like a great heart, beat for the birth
and death, the joy and sorrow, of his
tenantry.
Here, for two centuries, the daugh-
ters of the house had been given in
marriage, without spoken VOW or
priestly rite. but by gift and song
dance and cheer, began their new
career. From thence had gone out the
father to Yeddo or Fukui on public on
private business-the sons for eduea-
ton and culture, the daughters for
travel or religious duty. These walls
had echoed with songs and laughter,
with cries and sobs. Here, in time of
bereavement, in the oratorv of the
house, where the sacred lights and in
cense burn, one after another black
tablet was set, gilt-lettered, to be-
honored by later generations.
In the path by the old shrine, made
sacred by the reverent beliefs of gen.
erations, took my final leave of this
interesting family l asked for a
memento from its hallowed contents,
and the eX-prince gave me case of
light wood, containing an amulet
written in Sanskrit and Chinese, for
the protection of this ancient house;
and as passed out of the great gate L
stood under pile of charms foot in
thickness, which had been added year,
by year, to ward off sickness and
harm. = Helen s. II. Thompson, in
Overland Monthly.